The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday urged all residents to support government efforts by becoming agents of change to achieve a clean, safe and sustainable environment.
The Governor, who spoke through the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab at the 11th Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Stakeholders Conference held at the Muson Centre Onikan Lagos, added that it has become imperative for everyone to have a renewed sense of purpose, commitment and endeavour to secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
According to him, “We must be bold in our commitment and relentless effort in our pursuit of solutions; the stakes are too high for half measures. Let us not underestimate the power of collective action – when we work together, we can achieve what may seem impossible”.
Highlighting the theme of the event: “Stakeholders Conversation On Climate Change And Environment: Communication And The Sustainability Agenda”, Sanwo-Olu said the time is now for all to take actionable steps towards a future that all can be proud of.
He said the reality of climate change is here, and its impacts are felt across the globe, saying Lagos is witnessing her share of the devastating impacts while the government continues to take urgent action so that these events will not become more frequent and severe.
Mr. Governor explained that Lagos’s vulnerability is heightened by its dense population and coastal positioning – exposing it to risks such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and heat waves, as these hazards pose substantial threats to the livelihoods, infrastructure of its urban populace, particularly affecting the less affluent and most vulnerable segments of the population.
He added that climate change poses significant challenges and opportunities for economics, finance, and development, saying the government had recognised that inaction against the impacts of Climate Change will affect the environment and people’s well-being.
Sanwo-Olu recalled that in June this year, at the 10th Lagos International Climate Change Summit, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources launched the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP), which is designed to complement and build upon these high-level plans by utilising advanced analytics for robust risk and impact assessment.
He averred that the present administration has developed high-level plans and roadmaps focusing on climate action and these include the Lagos Climate Action Plan, Lagos State Climate Risk Assessment, and the Lagos Resilient Strategy.
He said it sets a clear Adaptation and Resilience (A&R) ambition that is translated into projects, developing a funding strategy and ensuring strengthened stakeholder engagement. He added that the public and private sectors in Lagos must adopt the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP) to incorporate plans, programmes and actions that will set Lagos on a pathway for carbon neutrality and increased adaptation for her populace.
“As the demands on governments continue to grow, delivering quality public services is essential to achieving sustainable development in all ramifications. We are therefore buoyed by our vision to empower all citizens, including the poorest and most vulnerable, to have a voice in defining their needs and the strategies to address them”, Mr. Governor stated.